The Rinzai school (, zh, t=臨濟宗, s=临济宗, p=Línjì zōng), named after
Linji Yixuan (Romaji: Rinzai Gigen, died 866 CE) is one of three sects of
Zen
Zen (; from Chinese: ''Chán''; in Korean: ''Sŏn'', and Vietnamese: ''Thiền'') is a Mahayana Buddhist tradition that developed in China during the Tang dynasty by blending Indian Mahayana Buddhism, particularly Yogacara and Madhyamaka phil ...
in
Japanese Buddhism, along with
Sōtō and
Ōbaku. The Chinese
Linji school of
Chan Buddhism
Chan (; of ), from Sanskrit '' dhyāna'' (meaning " meditation" or "meditative state"), is a Chinese school of Mahāyāna Buddhism. It developed in China from the 6th century CE onwards, becoming especially popular during the Tang and Song ...
was first transmitted to
Japan
Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...
by
Myōan Eisai (1141 –1215). Contemporary Japanese Rinzai is derived entirely from the
Ōtōkan lineage transmitted through
Hakuin Ekaku
was one of the most influential figures in Japanese Zen Buddhism, who regarded bodhicitta, working for the benefit of others, as the ultimate concern of Zen-training. While never having received formal dharma transmission, he is regarded as th ...
(1686–1769), who is a major figure in the revival of the Rinzai tradition.
History
Rinzai is the Japanese line of the
Chinese Linji school
The Línjì school () is a school of Chan Buddhism named after Linji Yixuan (d. 866). It took prominence in Song dynasty, Song China (960–1279), spread to Japan as the Rinzai school and influenced the nine mountain schools of Korean Seon.
Hi ...
of Chan Buddhism, which was founded during the
Tang dynasty
The Tang dynasty (, ; zh, c=唐朝), or the Tang Empire, was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 618 to 907, with an Wu Zhou, interregnum between 690 and 705. It was preceded by the Sui dynasty and followed ...
by
Linji Yixuan (Japanese: Rinzai Gigen).
Kamakura period (1185–1333)
Though there were several attempts to establish Rinzai lines in Japan, it first took root in a lasting way through the efforts of the monk
Myōan Eisai. In 1168,
Myōan Eisai traveled to China, where he studied
Tendai for twenty years. In 1187, he went to China again, and returned to Japan to establish a
Linji school of Chan Buddhism, which is known in Japan as Rinzai.
Decades later, (1235–1308), who also studied Linji teachings in China, founded the Japanese
Ōtōkan lineage, the most influential and only surviving branch of the Rinzai school of Zen.
Rinzai Zen was established in Japan as the
samurai
The samurai () were members of the warrior class in Japan. They were originally provincial warriors who came from wealthy landowning families who could afford to train their men to be mounted archers. In the 8th century AD, the imperial court d ...
rose to power. Along with early imperial support, Rinzai came to enjoy the patronage of this newly ascendant warrior class.
Muromachi (or Ashikaga) period (1336–1573)
During the
Muromachi period
The , also known as the , is a division of Japanese history running from approximately 1336 to 1573. The period marks the governance of the Muromachi or Ashikaga shogunate ( or ), which was officially established in 1338 by the first Muromachi ...
, the Rinzai school was the most successful of the Zen schools in Japan because it was favoured by the ''
shōgun
, officially , was the title of the military rulers of Japan during most of the period spanning from 1185 to 1868. Nominally appointed by the Emperor, shoguns were usually the de facto rulers of the country, except during parts of the Kamak ...
''. The school may be said to have truly flowered and achieved a distinctly Japanese identity with
Shūhō Myōchō (aka
Daitō Kokushi 1283–1337) and
Musō Soseki (1275–1351), two influential Japanese Zen masters who did not travel to China to study.
Five Mountain System
In the beginning of the Muromachi period, the system was fully worked out. The final version contained five temples of both Kyoto and Kamakura, presided over by
Nanzen-ji. A second tier of the system consisted of Ten Temples. This system was extended throughout Japan, effectively giving control to the central government, which administered this system. The monks, often well educated and skilled, were employed by the ''shōgun'' for the governing of state affairs.
Rinka-monasteries
Not all Rinzai Zen organisations were under such strict state control. The Rinka monasteries, which were primarily located in rural areas rather than cities, had a greater degree of independence. The Ōtōkan lineage, which centered on
Daitoku-ji
is a Rinzai school Zen Buddhist temple in the Murasakino neighborhood of Kita-ku in the city of Kyoto Japan. Its ('' sangō'') is . The Daitoku-ji temple complex is one of the largest Zen temples in Kyoto, covering more than . In addition to ...
, also had a greater degree of freedom. It was founded by Nanpo Shōmyō, Shūhō Myōchō, and Kanzan Egen. A well-known teacher from Daitoku-ji was
Ikkyū.
Another Rinka lineage was the Hotto lineage, of which
Bassui Tokushō is the best-known teacher.
Tokugawa (1600–1868) - Hakuin and his heirs
By the 18th century, the Rinzai school was challenged by the newly-imported Obaku-lineage, and by the waning of support from the ruling elites.
Hakuin Ekaku
was one of the most influential figures in Japanese Zen Buddhism, who regarded bodhicitta, working for the benefit of others, as the ultimate concern of Zen-training. While never having received formal dharma transmission, he is regarded as th ...
(1686–1769), with his vigorous zeal for
koan-practice and his orientation towards common people, became the hero of a revigorized tradition of koan-study and an outreach to a lay-audience, and most Rinzai lineages claim descent from him, though his engagement with formal Rinzai-institution was minimal. When he was installed as head priest of Shōin-ji in 1718, he had the title of ''Dai-ichiza'', "First Monk":
Hakuin considered himself to be an heir of Shōju Rōnin (Dokyō Etan, 1642–1721), but never received formal dharma transmission from him.
Nevertheless, through Hakuin, all contemporary Japanese Rinzai-lineages are considered part of the
Ōtōkan lineage, brought to Japan in 1267 by
Nanpo Jomyo, who received his dharma transmission in China in 1265.
Tōrei Enji (1721–1792), who had studied with
Kogetsu Zenzai, was a major student of Hakuin and an influential author, painter and calligrapher.
[Joskovich, Erez Hekigan. ''The Inexhaustible Lamp of Faith: Faith and Awakening in the Japanese Rinzai Tradition.'' Japanese Journal of Religious Studies 42/2:319-338. Nanzan Institute for Religion and Culture.] He is the author of the influential ''The Undying Lamp of Zen'' (''Shūmon mujintō ron''), which presents a comprehensive system of Rinzai training.
[Cleary, Thomas (2010). ''The Undying Lamp of Zen: The Testament of Zen Master Torei,'' Shambhala Publications, p. viii.]
Through Torei's student
Gasan Jitō (1727–1797) Hakuin's approach became a focal point in Japanese Rinzai Zen. Before meeting Hakuin, Gasan received
Dharma transmission from Rinzai teacher Gessen Zen'e, who had received dharma transmission from Kogetsu Zenzai. Gasan is often considered to be a dharma heir of Hakuin, despite the fact that "he did not belong to the close circle of disciples and was probably not even one of Hakuin's dharma heirs." Gasan's students Inzan Ien (1751–1814), who also studied with Gessen Zen'e,
[terebess.hu]
''隱山惟琰 Inzan Ien (1751–1814)''
/ref> and Takujū Kosen (1760–1833) created a systematized way of koan-study, with fixed questions and answers. In 1808 Inzan Ien became abbott of Myoshin-ji, one of the main Rinzai temples in Japan, where he served for a short time, while Takujū Kosen was appointed as head abbott of Myoshin-ji in 1813.[terebess.hu]
''卓洲胡僊 Takujū Kosen (1760–1833)''
/ref> All contemporary Japanese Rinzai-lineages, and their methods and styles of koan-study, stem from these two teachers, though at the end of the Tokugawa-periond his line was at the brink of extinction.
Meiji Restoration (1868–1912) and Imperial Expansionism (1912–1945)
During the Meiji period
The was an era of Japanese history that extended from October 23, 1868, to July 30, 1912. The Meiji era was the first half of the Empire of Japan, when the Japanese people moved from being an isolated feudal society at risk of colonizatio ...
(1868–1912), after a coup in 1868, Japan abandoned its feudal system and opened up to Western modernism. Shinto
, also called Shintoism, is a religion originating in Japan. Classified as an East Asian religions, East Asian religion by Religious studies, scholars of religion, it is often regarded by its practitioners as Japan's indigenous religion and as ...
became the state religion, and Buddhism adapted to the new regime. Within the Buddhist establishment the Western world was seen as a threat, but also as a challenge to stand up to.
A Rinzai university was founded in 1872, Hanazono University, initially as a seminary for those entering the priesthood. Hanazono University has grown to become the major Rinzai higher education institution in Japan.
Post-war (1945–present)
Modern Rinzai Zen is made up of 15 sects or branches, the largest being the Myoshin-ji line.
Some influential modern Rinzai figures include Ōmori Sōgen (大森 曹玄, 1904–1994), Sōkō Morinaga
The traditional Chinese calendar divides a year into 24 solar terms (节气/節氣). ''Shuāngjiàng'', ''Sōkō'', ''Sanggang'', or ''Sương giáng'' () is the 18th solar term. It begins when the Sun reaches the celestial longitude of 210 ...
(盛永 宗興, 1925–1995), Shodo Harada (原田 正道), Eshin Nishimura (西村 惠信; born 1933), Keidō Fukushima (福島 慶道, 1933 – 2011) and D.T. Suzuki (鈴木 大拙 貞太郎, 1870–1966).
Literary sources
Rinzai is a Mahayana
Mahāyāna ( ; , , ; ) is a term for a broad group of Buddhist traditions, Buddhist texts#Mahāyāna texts, texts, Buddhist philosophy, philosophies, and practices developed in ancient India ( onwards). It is considered one of the three main ex ...
Buddhist tradition that draws from the various Indian Mahayana sutras
The Mahayana sutras are Buddhist texts that are accepted as wikt:canon, canonical and authentic Buddhist texts, ''buddhavacana'' in Mahayana, Mahayana Buddhist sanghas. These include three types of sutras: Those spoken by the Buddha; those spoke ...
(like the ''Diamond Sutra
The ''Diamond Sutra'' (Sanskrit: ) is a Mahayana, Mahāyāna Buddhism, Buddhist sutra from the genre of ('perfection of wisdom') sutras. Translated into a variety of languages over a broad geographic range, the ''Diamond Sūtra'' is one of th ...
'' and the ''Heart Sutra
The ''Heart Sūtra'', ) is a popular sutra in Mahayana, Mahāyāna Buddhism. In Sanskrit, the title ' translates as "The Heart of the Prajnaparamita, Perfection of Wisdom".
The Sutra famously states, "Form is emptiness (''śūnyatā''), em ...
'') and shastras (treatises) of the Indian masters. Rinzai also closely follows the works of the Chinese Chan tradition, particularly that of the masters of the Linji school
The Línjì school () is a school of Chan Buddhism named after Linji Yixuan (d. 866). It took prominence in Song dynasty, Song China (960–1279), spread to Japan as the Rinzai school and influenced the nine mountain schools of Korean Seon.
Hi ...
like Linji Yixuan (d. 866) and Dahui Zonggao (1089–1163) and various traditional records of that school, like the '' Transmission of the Lamp,'' and the ''Línjì yǔlù'' (臨濟語錄; Jp: ''Rinzai-goroku'', ''the Record of Linji'')''.''
Important Japanese sources of the Rinzai school include the works of Hakuin Ekaku
was one of the most influential figures in Japanese Zen Buddhism, who regarded bodhicitta, working for the benefit of others, as the ultimate concern of Zen-training. While never having received formal dharma transmission, he is regarded as th ...
and his student Tōrei Enji. Torei's ''Undying Lamp of Zen'' (''Shūmon mujintō ron'') offers a comprehensive overview of Hakuin's Zen and is a major source for Rinzai Zen practice. A more modern overview of Japanese Rinzai praxis is Omori Sogen's ''Sanzen Nyumon (An Introduction to Zen Training).''
Japanese Rinzai practice
Contemporary Japanese Rinzai Zen is marked by its emphasis on '' kenshō'' (見性, "seeing one's/ self nature" or "to see clearly into the buddha-nature") as the gateway to authentic Buddhist practice.[Moore (2018), pp. 9-10.] Rinzai also stresses the importance of post- kensho spiritual training that actualizes awakening for the benefit of all beings.
The student's relationship with a Zen teacher is another central element of Rinzai Zen practice. This includes the formal practice of '' sanzen'', a private interview between student and master and various methods of "direct pointing" that are used by Rinzai masters to guide the student to the experience of kensho.
Formal Rinzai training focuses on zazen
''Zazen'' is a meditative discipline that is typically the primary practice of the Zen Buddhist tradition.
The generalized Japanese term for meditation is 瞑想 (''meisō''); however, ''zazen'' has been used informally to include all forms ...
(seated meditation). Practices such as different forms of breath meditation ( breath counting, diaphragmatic breathing
Diaphragmatic breathing, abdominal breathing, belly breathing, or deep breathing, is a breathing technique that is done by contracting the Thoracic diaphragm, diaphragm, a muscle located horizontally between the thoracic cavity and abdominal cav ...
and tanden, breath cultivation), kōan introspection, wato, and mantra
A mantra ( ; Pali: ''mantra'') or mantram (Devanagari: मन्त्रम्) is a sacred utterance, a numinous sound, a syllable, word or phonemes, or group of words (most often in an Indo-Iranian language like Sanskrit or Avestan) belie ...
practice (such as using the mantric syllable Ah) are used in zazen. Other practices include walking meditation (Jp. ''kinhin''), ōryōki (a meditative meal practice), and samu (physical work done with mindfulness
Mindfulness is the cognitive skill, usually developed through exercises, of sustaining metacognitive awareness towards the contents of one's own mind and bodily sensations in the present moment. The term ''mindfulness'' derives from the Pali ...
). Chanting (''okyo'') Buddhist sutras or dharanis is also a major element of Rinzai practice.
Kōans are a common object of meditation when engaged in formal zazen. '' Shikantaza'' ("just sitting") is less emphasized in Rinzai, but still used. This contrasts with Sōtō practice, which has de-emphasized kōans since Gentō Sokuchū (circa 1800), and instead emphasizes shikantaza.
The Rinzai school developed its own formalized style of '' kōan'' introspection and training. This includes a standardized curriculum of '' kōans'', which must be studied and "passed" in sequence. This process may include standardized questions (''sassho'') and common sets of "capping phrases" ('' jakugo'') or poetry citations that are memorized by students as answers. A student's understanding of a kōan is presented to the teacher in a private interview ('' dokusan'', ''daisan'', or ''sanzen'') and the teacher's job is to guide the student to kensho, in part by judging the student's '' kyōgai''. Kōan-inquiry may be practiced during ''zazen
''Zazen'' is a meditative discipline that is typically the primary practice of the Zen Buddhist tradition.
The generalized Japanese term for meditation is 瞑想 (''meisō''); however, ''zazen'' has been used informally to include all forms ...
'' (sitting meditation)'', kinhin
Walking meditation (Chinese language, Chinese: 經行; Pinyin: ''jīngxíng''; Romanization of Japanese, Romaji: ''kinhin'' or ''kyōgyō''; Korean language, Korean: ''gyeonghyaeng''; Vietnamese language, Vietnamese: ''kinh hành'') is a meditati ...
'' (walking meditation), and throughout all daily activities.
In general, the Rinzai school is known for the rigor and severity of its training methods. The Rinzai style may be characterized as somewhat martial or sharp (following in the spirit of Linji Yixuan). Since the adoption of Rinzai Zen by the Hōjō clan
The was a Japanese samurai family who controlled the hereditary title of '' shikken'' (regent) of the Kamakura shogunate between 1203 and 1333. Despite the title, in practice the family wielded actual political power in Japan during this perio ...
in the 13th century, some Rinzai figures have even developed the samurai
The samurai () were members of the warrior class in Japan. They were originally provincial warriors who came from wealthy landowning families who could afford to train their men to be mounted archers. In the 8th century AD, the imperial court d ...
arts (''budō
is a Japanese language, Japanese term describing modern Japanese martial arts. It is commonly translated as "Martial Way", or the "Way of Martial Arts".
Etymology
is a compound of the root ( or ; ), meaning "war" or "martial"; and ( or ; ), ...
'') within a Zen framework. One influential figure was the Rinzai priest Takuan Sōhō who was well known for his writings on Zen and ''budō
is a Japanese language, Japanese term describing modern Japanese martial arts. It is commonly translated as "Martial Way", or the "Way of Martial Arts".
Etymology
is a compound of the root ( or ; ), meaning "war" or "martial"; and ( or ; ), ...
'' addressed to the samurai
The samurai () were members of the warrior class in Japan. They were originally provincial warriors who came from wealthy landowning families who could afford to train their men to be mounted archers. In the 8th century AD, the imperial court d ...
class (see '' The Unfettered Mind''). In this regard, Rinzai is often contrasted with another sect of Zen deeply established in Japan, Sōtō, which has been called more gentle and even rustic in spirit. A Japanese saying reflects these perceptions: "Rinzai for the Shōgun
, officially , was the title of the military rulers of Japan during most of the period spanning from 1185 to 1868. Nominally appointed by the Emperor, shoguns were usually the de facto rulers of the country, except during parts of the Kamak ...
, Sōtō for the peasants" (臨済将軍、曹洞土民, ''Rinzai Shōgun, Sōtō Domin'').
The Rinzai school also adopted certain Taoist energy cultivation practices. They were introduced by Hakuin
was one of the most influential figures in Japanese Zen Buddhism, who regarded bodhicitta, working for the benefit of others, as the ultimate concern of Zen-training. While never having received formal dharma transmission, he is regarded as t ...
(1686–1769) who learned them from a hermit named Hakuyu. These energetic practices are called ''naikan.'' They are mainly based on focusing the mind and one's vital energy ('' ki'') on the '' tanden'' (a spot slightly below the navel).
Certain Japanese arts
The arts or creative arts are a vast range of human practices involving creativity, creative expression, storytelling, and cultural participation. The arts encompass diverse and plural modes of thought, deeds, and existence in an extensive ...
such as painting
Painting is a Visual arts, visual art, which is characterized by the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a solid surface (called "matrix" or "Support (art), support"). The medium is commonly applied to the base with ...
, calligraphy
Calligraphy () is a visual art related to writing. It is the design and execution of lettering with a pen, ink brush, or other writing instruments. Contemporary calligraphic practice can be defined as "the art of giving form to signs in an e ...
, poetry
Poetry (from the Greek language, Greek word ''poiesis'', "making") is a form of literature, literary art that uses aesthetics, aesthetic and often rhythmic qualities of language to evoke meaning (linguistics), meanings in addition to, or in ...
, gardening
Gardening is the process of growing plants for their vegetables, fruits, flowers, herbs, and appearances within a designated space. Gardens fulfill a wide assortment of purposes, notably the production of Aesthetics, aesthetically pleasing area ...
, and the tea ceremony are also often used as methods of Zen cultivation in Rinzai. Hakuin
was one of the most influential figures in Japanese Zen Buddhism, who regarded bodhicitta, working for the benefit of others, as the ultimate concern of Zen-training. While never having received formal dharma transmission, he is regarded as t ...
is famously known for his ''sumi-e'' (ink and wash) paintings as well as for his calligraphy
Calligraphy () is a visual art related to writing. It is the design and execution of lettering with a pen, ink brush, or other writing instruments. Contemporary calligraphic practice can be defined as "the art of giving form to signs in an e ...
. Myōan Eisai is said to have popularized green tea in Japan and the famed master of Japanese tea, Sen no Rikyū (1522–1591), was also trained in Rinzai.
Contemporary Rinzai schools
Rinzai Zen in Japan today is not a single organized body. Rather, it is divided into 15 branches (or 16, if Ōbaku is included), referred to by the names of their head temples, of which half are based in Kyoto
Kyoto ( or ; Japanese language, Japanese: , ''Kyōto'' ), officially , is the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan's largest and most populous island of Honshu. , the city had a population of 1.46 million, making it t ...
(8, plus Ōbaku). The largest and most influential of these is the Myōshin-ji branch, whose head temple was founded in 1342 by Kanzan Egen (1277–1360). Other major branches include Nanzen-ji and Tenryū-ji (both founded by Musō Soseki), Daitoku-ji
is a Rinzai school Zen Buddhist temple in the Murasakino neighborhood of Kita-ku in the city of Kyoto Japan. Its ('' sangō'') is . The Daitoku-ji temple complex is one of the largest Zen temples in Kyoto, covering more than . In addition to ...
(founded by Shūhō Myōchō), and Tōfuku-ji (founded by Enni Ben'en, 1202–1280). These branches are purely organizational divisions arising from temple history and teacher-student lineage, and do not represent sectarian divides or fundamental differences in practice. There are nevertheless small differences in the way kōans are handled.
These head temples preside over various networks, comprising a total of approximately six thousand temples, forty monasteries, and one nunnery. The Myōshin-ji branch is by far the largest, approximately as big as the other branches combined: it contains within it about three thousand five hundred temples and nineteen monasteries.
Japanese Rinzai schools
The 15 branches of Rinzai, by head temple, are:
* Kennin-ji (1202)
* Tōfuku-ji (1236, founded by Enni Ben'en, 1202–1280)
* Kenchō-ji
Kenchō-ji (建長寺) is a Rinzai Zen temple in Kamakura, Kanagawa, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, which ranks first among Kamakura's so-called Five Great Zen Temples (the ''Kamakura Gozan'') and is the oldest Zen training monastery in Jap ...
(1253)
* Engaku-ji (1282)
* Nanzen-ji (1291, founded by Musō Soseki)
* Kokutai-ji (1300)
* Daitoku-ji
is a Rinzai school Zen Buddhist temple in the Murasakino neighborhood of Kita-ku in the city of Kyoto Japan. Its ('' sangō'') is . The Daitoku-ji temple complex is one of the largest Zen temples in Kyoto, covering more than . In addition to ...
(1315, founded by Shūhō Myōchō)
* Kōgaku-ji (1380)
* Myōshin-ji (sect founded 1337, temple founded in 1342 by Kanzan Egen)
* Tenryū-ji (1339, founded by Musō Soseki)
* Eigen-ji (1361)
* Hōkō-ji (1384)
* Shōkoku-ji (1392)
* Buttsū-ji (1397, affiliated with Tenryū-ji until 1905)
* Kōshō-ji (1603)[ 興聖寺 ][上京区の史蹟百選,区民誇りの木/興聖寺,ケヤキ]
(100 Selected Historic Sites of Kamigyō ward, Ward Citizen's Pride Trees/Kōshō-ji, Keyaki)
Western Rinzai
A number of Rinzai lines have been transplanted from Japan to Europe, the Americas, and Australia, and non-Japanese practitioners have been certified as teachers and successors of those lineages. Rinzai temples, as well as practice groups led by lay practitioners, may now be found in many nations.
North American Rinzai centers include Rinzai-ji founded by Kyozan Joshu Sasaki Roshi and the Pacific Zen Institute founded by John Tarrant Roshi in California, Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji established by Eido Shimano Roshi and Soen Nakagawa Roshi in New York, Chozen-ji founded by Omori Sogen Roshi in Hawaii, Daiyuzenji in Illinois
Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. It borders on Lake Michigan to its northeast, the Mississippi River to its west, and the Wabash River, Wabash and Ohio River, Ohio rivers to its ...
and Korinji in Wisconsin
Wisconsin ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest of the United States. It borders Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michig ...
both founded by dharma heirs in Omori Sogen Roshi's line, and Chobo-Ji founded by Genki Takabayashi Rōshi in Seattle, Washington. In Europe there is Havredal Zendo established by a Dharma Heir of Eido Shimano, Egmund Sommer (Denko Mortensen).
Related Japanese Zen schools
Obaku
Aside from Rinzai and Sōtō, there is a third tradition of Zen present in Japan, the Ōbaku Zen sect. It was brought to Japan in the 17th century, and shows significant influence from the Pure Land
Pure Land is a Mahayana, Mahayana Buddhist concept referring to a transcendent realm emanated by a buddhahood, buddha or bodhisattva which has been purified by their activity and Other power, sustaining power. Pure lands are said to be places ...
school. This reflects the syncretistic tendencies that developed in Chinese Buddhism in the centuries after the earlier Rinzai lines had been transmitted to Japan.
Ōbaku is also descended from the Chinese Linji school, and so technically may be considered a part of the Japanese Rinzai movement; further, its abbots are now part of the same Ōtōkan lineage as Rinzai branches, though they were not so originally (instead following a more recent Chinese lineage). While Manpuku-ji, the Ōbaku headquarters temple, is considered one of the 15 Rinzai branches mentioned above, Ōbaku Zen is administratively separate from the other 14 branches and continues to maintain its own distinct identity.
Fuke
A final Japanese Zen sect that self-identified as descending from the Linji school was the Fuke sect; Fuke Zen was suppressed with the Meiji Restoration
The , referred to at the time as the , and also known as the Meiji Renovation, Revolution, Regeneration, Reform, or Renewal, was a political event that restored Imperial House of Japan, imperial rule to Japan in 1868 under Emperor Meiji. Althoug ...
in the 19th century and no longer exists. Its influence on the development of music for the shakuhachi
A is a Japanese longitudinal, end-blown flute that is made of bamboo. The bamboo end-blown flute now known as the was developed in Japan in the 16th century and is called the . (bamboo flute), however, has been great.
Ichibata Yakushi Kyodan
Ichibata Yakushi Kyodan (properly written Ichiba Yakushi Kyōdan 一畑薬師教団) is today generally considered an independent school of Buddhism, though it was previously associated with Myōshin-ji (and before that Tendai), and may still be considered part of Rinzai, though its practices and beliefs have little in common with Rinzai. It places great importance in faith in Yakushi (Medicine Buddha), and is known as a destination for healing.
Cultural influence
Remarkable results of the early relationship between Rinzai Zen and the ruling classes were a strong Rinzai influence on education and government, and Rinzai contributions to a great flowering of Japanese cultural arts such as calligraphy
Calligraphy () is a visual art related to writing. It is the design and execution of lettering with a pen, ink brush, or other writing instruments. Contemporary calligraphic practice can be defined as "the art of giving form to signs in an e ...
, painting
Painting is a Visual arts, visual art, which is characterized by the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a solid surface (called "matrix" or "Support (art), support"). The medium is commonly applied to the base with ...
, literature
Literature is any collection of Writing, written work, but it is also used more narrowly for writings specifically considered to be an art form, especially novels, Play (theatre), plays, and poetry, poems. It includes both print and Electroni ...
, tea ceremony, Japanese garden
are traditional gardens whose designs are accompanied by Japanese aesthetics and philosophical ideas, avoid artificial ornamentation, and highlight the natural landscape. Plants and worn, aged materials are generally used by Japanese garden desig ...
design, architecture
Architecture is the art and technique of designing and building, as distinguished from the skills associated with construction. It is both the process and the product of sketching, conceiving, planning, designing, and construction, constructi ...
and even martial arts
Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defence; military and law enforcement applications; combat sport, competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development; entertainment; ...
. A perhaps unanticipated result is that Soto Zen temples, with their connection and appeal to commoners, eventually came to outnumber Rinzai temples.
See also
* Linji Yixuan
*Zen
Zen (; from Chinese: ''Chán''; in Korean: ''Sŏn'', and Vietnamese: ''Thiền'') is a Mahayana Buddhist tradition that developed in China during the Tang dynasty by blending Indian Mahayana Buddhism, particularly Yogacara and Madhyamaka phil ...
* Ōbaku (school of Buddhism)
*Hakuin Ekaku
was one of the most influential figures in Japanese Zen Buddhism, who regarded bodhicitta, working for the benefit of others, as the ultimate concern of Zen-training. While never having received formal dharma transmission, he is regarded as th ...
References
Sources
;Printed sources
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;Web-sources
External links
Official site of The Joint Council for Japanese Rinzai and Obaku Zen (both Japanese and English language)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rinzai School